from Setbacks to Comebacks

by Pastor Calvin Lee

Setback is a reversal or a tag in progress. Setbacks are facts of life. Setbacks are norm. Even great men and women in the bible experienced setbacks. Examples are Moses, David, Job, Ruth, Paul......

A recall in the life of Joseph
- God is in control
Genesis 50:20

Faith declaration :
"No matter what I'm going through right now, but God...."

The enemy wants to blur our vision of God. We need to set our eyes upon God NO MATTER WHAT!

8 powerful truths about the God of our lives as we face through setbacks :
(1) God knows (Genesis 39:2)

(2) God is not punishing me (God is setting me up for something greater. I must believe it no matter what.)

(3) God will not allow me to go through more than what I can go through (1 Corinthians 10:13)

(4) God uses setbacks to bring potentials out of us that we didn't even know we had (Genesis 39:4)
- When we are going through we cannot see what God has intended. We always want God to do the "removing" job but God instead wants to do an "improving" job in our lives.
- Grow through setbacks

(5) God will not allow a setback into your life unless He has a purpose for it. In the name of Jesus, and by faith, believe and declare "it is a good thing"

(6) God will surprise you beyond your wildest imagination
- We tend to think negative things and then become overwhelm but always remember God can surprise you! Look at the life of Joseph and all the men and women in the bible

(7) God is bigger than our setbacks
- God is stronger and He is able, no matter what
- We are hopeful people

(8) God has a destiny for me

5 common reasons why we suffer setbacks :
- Self inflicted situation
- Sin (we are fallen human being living in a fallen world)
- Situation (it just happens that way somehow we cannot explain)
- Spiritual Warfare
- Sovereignty of God (God allows us to go through)

During setbacks moments, we are more vulnerable physically, emotionally, mentally and susceptible to enemy's (satan/devil) attack. Therefore, we would need 2 weapons during this crucial time :
(1) Strength of God (Isaiah 40:31)
(2) Wisdom of God

Some examples of setbacks :
- Shattered dreams
- Financial failures
- Unexpected illness
- Relationship breakdown
- Retrenched
- Failed exam
- Delinquent children
- Betrayal
- Moral failure
- Career roadblocks
- Miscarriage
- Costly mistakes

Joseph :
- Was betrayed by his brothers (Genesis 37:18)
- Was sold into Egyptian slavery (Genesis 37:36)
- Was framed as an adulterer (Genesis 39:13)
- Was thrown into prison (Genesis 39:20)
- Was forgotten by the cupbearer (Genesis 40:23)

Developing Spiritual Strength

by Pastor Eelyn Poh

Isaiah 40:27-31

Isaiah 39 and 40
Separated by 160 years

North Kingdom (Israel)
South Kingdom (Judah)
Assyria destroyed the Northern Kingdom of Israel
Judah went into Babylon captivity for 40 years

(1) Look Up (v27, v28)
Isaiah 40:12

(2) Wait Up (v31)
- Wait = "Qavah"
- To look eagerly for, to lie in wait for
1 Samuel 30:4-6

(3) Rise Up (v31)
Isaiah 54:1-3
Jeremiah 12:5

Your perspective of life and situation will limit your capacity for greater things

An eagle requires 80% of its energy to flap its wings
but only 20% of its energy to soar

2 Kings 6:14-17

Authenticity in Church

Pastor Lee Meng Cham

Acts 2:41-47

All of us yearn for genuine community. What are we looking at when we say authentic living in church?

(1) A Sure Hope (v41, v47)
- added to their number because the early church resonated with the hope.
- all of us have fallen from glory
- we possess a sure hope because our falling from glory is the greatest fear when joining a community is discovery and rejection
Galatians 3:27-29
- we all come to Christ as broken people
- there's no room for eagled eyeset at the cross
- where does this hope comes from? it comes from a shared faith!

(2) A Sacrificial Love (v44, v45)
- whatever I have are yours
1st : the hurdle of biblical or cultural Christianity?
2nd : the hurdle of sacrificial or superficial engagement? Serving the invisible and prominent
2 Corinthians 8:9
John 13:34-35

Cultural Christian vs Biblical Christian
- Be the best for one's sake vs Be the best for other's sake
- Personal fulfilment vs Pleasing God
- Worship the God we prefer vs Worship the God who is
- 'This world' oriented vs 'Kingdom of God' oriented
- We are the ends vs We are the means
- 'Jesus belongs to me!' vs 'I belong to Jesus!'
- Christ exists for man's sake vs Man exists for Christ's sake
- Keep the church for the lovable vs Build a church for the unloved
- Serve the prominent vs Serve the Invisible

Love Others : Honour in Family

Pastor Calvin Lee

Many people have failed to honour relationships, parents, friendship, grandparents. Example : The Tates Family

What is the solution to bring honour in your family?
Transformation is the answer.
It has to be from the inside out.
Allowing Jesus to be the Lord of our lives and in our famiy.

Ephesians 6:1-9
Exodus 20:12

We give
Respect
Esteem
Significance
Honour to one another

(1) Command with a Priority
- children honour your parents
- an elevation to recognize
- an experience to regard

Honouring your parents is not about their performance. Honouring our parents is about their position, their personhood. No matter how bad they are, God is still their God. Jesus died on the cross for everyone including our parents. Honouring them does not mean we overlook their wrongs and faults, does not mean we give ways to their demands and hurtful ways.

You are ultimately honouring God Himself. It is a step of obedience and a step of faith to believe God that He will intervene and because of that, when you honour God, God will honour you.

This is the only commandment that it will come a day when we cannot keep it. When they are not with us anymore.

(2) command with a Promise
Ephesians 6:2-3
- it may go well with you
- your family will be well
- our days will be lightened
- our days will be lengthened
- our souls may be well

(3) Command with a Principle
- honour begets honour
- what goes round comes around

(4) command with a Purpose
- simply to glorify God
1 Peter 2:17

Learn to honour others who are above or below us. Honour the people who are despised, lowly.

(5) command with a Posture
- a heart of humility

God has meant the home to be a place of rest and refuge. But sadly it has become a daily combat ground and battered souls. Instead of hope and harmony, homes have become lack of love and filled with hatred.

We have to tear down every sins, habits, patterns that are breaking into the family. Breakdown every strongholds with the weapons that God given us. We all have great roles to play.

By God, I Will

Pastor Ronald

Exodus 6:6-8
Romans 10:17

God wants us to know Him cognitively and personally. Faith comes by hearing but faith need to be fortified with experience.

The Lord is :
Omnipotent
Omniscient
Omnipresent

Isaiah 41:13

Exodus 6:9
Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labour. The Israelites were jaded (tired, lack of enthusiasm)

The Israelites were jaded possibly due to 2 reasons :
(1) Expectation
- expect God will answer my prayer now
- expect God will not let me suffer

Christians are not granted immunity from sufferings (sins, sins of man, satan)
John 16:33

Please take this cup away from me. Not my will but yours be done. In this moment may you be glorified in my situation. There is a new heaven and earth waiting for me.

Hebrews 11:1

When we come to God, approach Him with the following attitude;
(1) The mind of faith
- what God has done
- what God can do
- what God chooses to do

(2) The heart of faith
- as small as a mustard seed